She Leads Georgian Bay 2026 

Unleashing the strength and leadership of women in our community. Walk away feeling empowered, supported, and inspired.

About Our Event

She Leads Georgian Bay is a community-led event designed to bring women together through shared stories, skill-building, and meaningful connection.

This year features:

15 unique workshops across wellness, leadership, creativity & growth.

From practical tools to personal transformation, each session is designed to leave you feeling grounded, capable, and connected.

Why We Do This

She Leads exists because when women gather intentionally, powerful things happen.

This event is sustained by community support, sponsor partnerships, and the generosity of those who choose to contribute beyond the free ticket option.

In July 2023 the first SheLeads event was held in Chatham Ontario with almost 250 women identifying people from the Chatham-Kent area and beyond. We share our thanks and appreciation to the founders and organizers, Dr. Erin TeWinkel and Randi Bokor Caron. They are the inspiration behind the SheLeads Georgian Bay event and have provided us with their vision and model, as well as support and materials. Read about the inaugural Chatham event here:

Lifelong friends to lead women’s conference | The Chatham Voice

Thank You to Our 2026 She Leads Georgian Bay Sponsors

Venue Sponsors: The Women Lawyers of

Lunch Sponsor

Empower Sponsors

Rebel Sponsor

Unleash Sponsors

Giiwedin Drummers — Opening Ceremony

Marketing Partners

Community Contributors

We are grateful to the talented individuals and local partners who are generously sharing their time and creativity to help make She Leads Georgian Bay 2026 a meaningful and memorable experience.

2026 Keynote Presenter

She Grows: Rooted for Resilience

We've been taught that strong leadership looks like more. More output, more hustle, more proving. But what if the strongest leaders aren't the ones doing the most — they're the ones who know who they are when everything is shaking?

In this keynote, author and founder Anette Lan shares a reframe she inherited from her Japanese heritage and learned the hard way through aerospace, fintech, and founding an AI company: we've become a left-brain culture obsessed with doing, and we've forgotten the power of being. Drawing from her book Ensō, A Tree Still Grows, Anette explores why resilience isn't built by pushing harder — it's grown by going deeper. Into your roots. Into your identity. Into the calm that holds you steady when the storm hits.

She doesn't ask you to slow down. She asks you to remember what you're anchored to.

15 Workshops to Choose From

  • Presented by Sharelle McArthur - Insurance Broker - Billyard Insurance Broker

    The Detour Was the Direction is an honest and heartfelt reflection on leadership, resilience, and the unexpected turns that shape us. In this session, Sharelle McArthur shares how the career she never planned became the path that revealed her purpose. She speaks to the moments when you feel like you’ve finally reached your peak — steady, confident, thriving — and then life delivers an unexpected shake-up. Through real stories of doubt, pivots, and growth, she reminds us that you can cry for a moment… but then you rise, you learn, and you lead anyway. This workshop invites women to trust the process and believe their best chapter is still ahead.

  • Presented by Jane Argue, G.I. Jane

    Learn how to recognize risk, strengthen your presence, and use simple, effective disengagement techniques in social, workplace, and everyday settings.

  • Presented by Jodie Munshaw, landscape designer, Landscape Designs by Jodie Munshaw

    Celebrate the beauty of spring through flowers, creativity, and connection. Sharing simple ideas for working with blooms outside and inside your home.

  • Presented by Colleen Porter, Rise and Thrive Mindset

    Public speaking isn’t just for stages—it’s for meetings, introductions, tough conversations, and speaking up when it matters. In this practical, low-pressure workshop, you’ll learn a simple structure to speak with clarity, reduce filler words and feel steadier when you’re nervous or put on the spot.

    You’ll leave with tools you can use immediately.

  • Presented by Hollie Crome, Registered Holistic Nutritionist

    The Fatigue Fix Workshop is for the high-achieving woman who is tired of feeling tired. If brain fog, 3pm crashes, and “why can’t I think straight?” moments are creeping into your workday, this is your wake-up call. In this powerful training, you’ll uncover the three biggest nutrition mistakes perimenopausal women make. Mistakes that silently fuel exhaustion, mood swings, and mental fog. More importantly, you’ll learn exactly how to fix them with simple, science-backed shifts you can implement immediately. Because massive symptoms aren’t “just your age.” They’re common but they’re not normal. And nutrition isn’t optional in perimenopause…it’s foundational.

  • Abigail Gallagher, Registered psychotherapist & Joanne Campbell RN

    Explore the emotional, psychological, and relational shifts that occur when someone takes on a caregiving role—whether for a child, partner, parent, community member, or client. While caregiving can be deeply meaningful, it also brings significant invisible grief, role changes, and identity losses that often go unacknowledged.

  • Presented by Dr. Christine Blom

    An honest and informative conversation about pelvic health during menopause and postpartum. Dr. Christine Blom will address common concerns including bladder control, pelvic floor changes, vaginal dryness and atrophy, and available management options — helping you better understand your body and your choices.

  • Presented by Deanna "Dee" Palazzo, professional actor, acting teacher, and wellness coach.

    Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable with Dee is back by popular demand—bringing women together to step into confidence, courage, and connection through the power of improv. Led by professional actor Deanna Palazzo, this dynamic workshop uses fun, interactive activities to help you stretch beyond your comfort zone in a supportive, uplifting environment.

  • Presented by Nicole French, Co-Founder of Collaborative Haus & Crys Wiltshire, Director of Marketing, Collaborative Haus

    AI is already part of everyday business, but many small business owners are still unsure how to actually use these tools in a practical way. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unclear on where to start, this workshop will show you how to work smarter and have fun experimenting with AI tools that can support your business.

  • Presented by Deborah Laramey

    Learn how the medicine wheel is incorporated into a healing strategy — Red Road: Finding Your Purpose.

  • Presented by Jennifer McConnell , pastry chef & culinary instructor

    Tie on your apron & join us as we learn the techniques to fill & frost beautiful spring Inspired lemon cupcakes topped with sweet sugar flowers . Each participant will go home with a beautifully boxed creation. ** Participants of this workshop are required to bring an apron**

  • Presented by Anette Lan, Author of Ensō, A Tree Still Grows, CEO of Miru Pulse

    What does your leadership look like when you strip away the titles, the to-do lists, and the pressure to perform? In this interactive workshop, author Anette Lan guides you through building your own Leadership Tree — a personal map of who you are as a leader, rooted in your values, shaped by your experiences, and growing toward what matters most. Through guided visualization and honest reflection, you'll explore your roots (what anchors you), your trunk (how you show up under pressure), your branches (where you extend your energy), and your fruit (what you cultivate to give away). You won't need a notebook or a strategy. Just yourself, your breath, and the willingness to pause long enough to remember who you already are. You'll leave grounded, clear, and ready to grow.

  • Presented by Haily MacDonald, Executive Director of Huronia Transition Homes

    The workshop offers a compassionate, trauma informed exploration of gender based violence; what it is, how it takes shape, and what factors influence the experiences of those impacted. Participants will learn what it truly means to “hold space” for someone navigating harm, focusing on supportive responses that prioritize safety, dignity, and autonomy.

  • Presented by Lorraine Jordan- Realtor, Mom, Public Speaker, Author & Dream maker.

    A powerful, real conversation for women who feel stretched thin by life’s demands. Lorraine Jordan shares practical wisdom on how to reconnect with yourself, protect the moments that bring you joy, and stop settling for a life that feels like survival mode. Through relatable stories and simple, meaningful shifts, you’ll discover how to integrate connection, purpose, and energy back into your everyday life — without guilt or overwhelm. You’ll leave feeling grounded, supported, and ready to live more intentionally.

  • Presented by Holly Pilon, Zumba Instructor

    An hour of Zumba! Let me show you how fun fitness can be as we dance for an hour. This is exercise you will look forward to doing.

**Workshops have limited seating and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ticket Options

Suggested Donation Tickets (Free • $20 • $30)

We offer a suggested donation model to honor the reality that women come from different financial situations — and to give those who are able the opportunity to support others in our community.

All ticket types provide access to the same She Leads event, workshops, and experiences.

Community Ticket ($0)

Reserved for women who would like to attend but may not be able to do so financially.

General Admission Ticket ($20)

The standard ticket. Helps cover the costs of hosting the event.

Lift A Woman Ticket ($30)

Attend the event and help fund a Community Ticket for someone else.

Choose the option that feels right for you — all are equally welcome here.

EVENT LOCATION

Georgian Bay District Secondary School

925 Hugel Ave

Midland, ON L4R 1X6

EVENT DAY SCHEDULE

Saturday May 2, 2026

Doors Open-9:00 AM

Registration, Refreshments & Networking-9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks-9:30 AM – 9:40 AM

Keynote Speaker-9:40 AM – 10:15 AM

Stretch Break & Travel to Workshops-10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Morning Workshops-10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Team Jordan Lunch-11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Cashmere Blue Fashion Show in cafeteria during lunch

First Afternoon Workshop-1:10 PM – 2:10 PM

Travel Break-2:10 PM – 2:15 PM

Second Afternoon Workshop-2:15 PM – 3:15 PM

Travel Break-3:15 PM – 3:20 PM

Prizes, Refreshments & Closing Sound Bath-3:20 PM – 4:00 PM

**Please note: She Leads Georgian Bay is a volunteer-run community event. We are not a registered charity.

Ticket selections are event contributions, not charitable donations. No charitable tax receipts are issued for ticket purchases

** Photography Notice **

She Leads Georgian Bay is a public community event. Photography and video recording may take place throughout the day for promotional and archival purposes.

We aim to be respectful and will make reasonable efforts to notify attendees when close-up images are being captured.

By attending, you acknowledge that you may appear in event photography or video.

If you prefer not to be photographed, please speak with a member of our organizing team upon arrival and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Meet Your Organizers

  • I believe She Leads represents what leadership can look like: inclusive, community-focused, and rooted in growth. It meets women where they are- recognizing that we all have different needs, experiences, and paths- while creating a safe space to learn, grow, and lead in ways that feel aligned and authentic.

    That’s a space I believe in- and one I’m proud to help lead.

  • I am so fortunate to have been surrounded by amazing women throughout my life and career, with many years as a single mom.

    These women are my family members, friends, colleagues and people I have met volunteering to help make a difference in our Georgian Bay communities.

    I have seen the power of women working together, caring for each other and inspiring others and can’t wait to see this grow.

    I am thrilled to be part of SheLeads - come join us!

  • I am fortunate to have surrounded myself with amazing women in my personal and professional life. I am excited to be part of this event.

    Women working together, supporting each other, being there for each other – no better thing!

    “There is no limit to what we as women, can accomplish.”

    -Michelle Obama